If you’re missing teeth, removable dentures are a great solution to restore both the function and appearance of your smile. They’re custom-made, removable appliances that replace missing teeth and surrounding tissue. Whether you’re missing a few or all of your teeth, dentures can help you eat, speak, and smile with confidence again.
Types of Removable Dentures
There are two main types of removable dentures:
1. Complete Dentures: These are used when all of the teeth in the upper or lower jaw (or both) are missing. Complete dentures are designed to fit snugly over your gums and provide a natural appearance.
2. Partial Dentures: If you’re missing only a few teeth, partial dentures can fill in the gaps while allowing the remaining natural teeth to stay in place. These dentures usually have a metal framework that attaches to your natural teeth for added stability.
Removable dentures offer several benefits, including:
• Restoring Your Smile: Dentures can help restore your smile, giving you a more youthful appearance and boosting your confidence.
• Improving Function: Missing teeth can make it difficult to eat and speak clearly. Dentures help restore normal function, allowing you to enjoy a wider variety of foods and speak more easily.
• Comfortable Fit: We custom-make dentures to fit your mouth perfectly. While they may take a little time to get used to, they’re designed to be comfortable and functional.
• Affordable: Compared to other tooth replacement options like dental implants, dentures are often a more affordable solution.
How Do Dentures Work?
Dentures are designed to fit your mouth securely, and they rely on the shape and contours of your gums and jaw to stay in place. For partial dentures, clasps or other attachments are used to secure the dentures to your remaining natural teeth. Complete dentures rest comfortably over your gums and are held in place by suction or, in some cases, an adhesive.
In most cases, removable dentures are fitted after your gums have healed following tooth extractions, so it may take a little time to get the perfect fit.
Caring for Your Dentures
To get the most out of your dentures and keep them in good condition, you’ll need to care for them properly:
• Cleaning: Brush your dentures daily with a soft-bristled brush and mild soap or a denture-specific cleaner. Avoid using regular toothpaste, as it can scratch the surface of the dentures.
• Soaking: When you’re not wearing your dentures, place them in a denture cleaning solution or water to keep them from drying out and losing their shape.
• Regular Check-ups: Just like with natural teeth, regular dental visits are essential to ensure that your dentures continue to fit well and function properly. Over time, your gums and bone may change, which could affect the fit of your dentures.
Getting Used to Dentures
It’s normal to experience some discomfort or difficulty speaking and eating when you first get dentures. It might take a little time for your mouth to adjust, but with patience and practice, most patients find that they’re able to eat, speak, and smile normally again. We’ll work with you closely to ensure that your dentures fit comfortably and look natural.
The Bottom Line:
Removable dentures are a fantastic option for people who are missing teeth. They help restore your smile, improve your ability to eat and speak, and provide a more affordable solution compared to other options. If you’re considering dentures or have any questions about the process, feel free to ask! We’re here to help guide you through every step and make sure you get the best possible fit and comfort.